More than half a century had passed since the organization of the Christian church. During that time the gospel message had been constantly opposed. Its enemies had never relaxed their efforts, and had at last succeeded in enlisting the power of the Roman emperor against the Christians.

Der var nu gået mere end et halvt århundrede siden oprettelsen af den kristne menighed. I hele denne tid havde evangeliets budskab bestandig mødt modstand. Dets fjenders bestræbelser var aldrig blevet svagere, og til sidst var det lykkedes dem at indrullere den romerske kejsers magt mod de kristne.